Technical Support Associate Ratification and Implementation of the BBNJ Agreement NPSA6 Vacancy-Job Ref: BJCLUNDP/2007/2025825

Technical Support Associate Ratification and Implementation of the BBNJ Agreement NPSA6 Vacancy-Job Ref: BJCLUNDP/2007/2025825

Santiago (Chile)

Job Description

1. Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values ​​and  inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

2. Office/Unit/Project Description

Areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) represent approximately 64% of the ocean’s surface and concentrate significant marine biological diversity. However, they lacked a comprehensive legal framework to guarantee their conservation, leaving them vulnerable to threats such as overfishing, pollution, and climate change. In this context, the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ) emerged as an international response to establish clear rules on the sustainable use of these ecosystems, promoting global cooperation, equitable benefit-sharing, and the creation of marine protected areas on the high seas.

The project’s main objective is to support the activities necessary to prepare for the implementation of the BBNJ Agreement in Chile. This includes a combination of interventions at the national, regional, and global levels. At the national level, priority will be given to preparing for the entry into force and implementation of the Agreement, which is essential for Chile to comply with its obligations under the BBNJ. The cooperation and support provided through the project will focus on generating inputs that will allow the country to prepare from the legal, institutional, scientific, and technical perspectives to address the challenges related to the conservation and sustainable use of marine areas beyond its jurisdiction.

In this context, one of the main objectives will be to determine Chile’s current situation regarding ABNJ. This will involve mapping stakeholders, activities under the country’s control, relevant traditional knowledge, and an inventory of national capacities, databases, and repositories related to marine genetic resources. In addition, an assessment will be conducted of legal, regulatory, and governance gaps, as well as the institutional, scientific, technical, and infrastructure capacities necessary to effectively implement the Agreement. The project is valid until December 2026.

At the regional and global levels, the project will foster international cooperation by strengthening peer-to-peer exchanges, providing methodological guidance and support materials for all involved countries. This will enable stronger preparation for the entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement and facilitate access to tools developed by the United Nations and expert groups, ensuring that participating countries have the necessary resources to implement the Agreement efficiently and collaboratively. At the national level, the project is led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with technical and programmatic support from UNDP Chile.

In this context, and in order to advance the implementation of the project, UNDP requires hiring a Technical Support Associate for the ratification and implementation of the BBNJ Agreement who, under the supervision of the Head of the Environment, Climate Change and Oceans Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Head of the Environment and Sustainable Development Area of ​​UNDP, will provide technical, operational and financial support for the execution of the project activities and products, in accordance with the scope established in these Terms of Reference.

3. Scope of work

The objective of the Technical Support Associate position for the ratification and implementation of the BBNJ Agreement of the project “Support for the ratification and implementation of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity beyond National Jurisdictions (BBNJ)” in Chile, is to provide technical support for the coordination and development of the project’s products, focused on: (1) generating technical and regulatory inputs to assess the country’s readiness for the ratification of the BBNJ Agreement; (2) developing proposals and strengthening capacities for their implementation at the national level, considering legal, institutional and technical adjustments; and (3) promoting regional cooperation through the exchange of experiences and good practices with other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Its main functions include:

A) Technical and coordination support

Provide support in the planning, review, and systematization of related technical documents, as well as in the preparation of presentations and working materials.

Review and support the development of technical and internal documents related to the ratification and implementation of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity beyond National Jurisdictions in Chile, ensuring the incorporation of a gender perspective.
Support the implementation of the Project Communications Strategy, providing proposals for communication content to disseminate project results in a timely manner (texts, photographs, videos, etc.).

B) Methodological support for the development of participatory processes and inclusion of approaches

Collaborate in the identification of participatory methodologies, coordination, promotion, and facilitation of experience and knowledge exchanges, workshops, and other activities, both at the national and regional levels, promoting a participatory approach and the mainstreaming of gender, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities, as well as the dialogue and participation of the project’s strategic partners, where appropriate.
C) Monitoring, follow-up and systematization of results and agreements

Support the development and implementation of the Annual Operating Plan (AOP) and other project activities through results-based management.
Convene the Project Steering Committee as appropriate, and systematize agreements with the focal points of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UNDP to design and implement the consulting processes, supporting the review, coordination, and verification of their results.
D) Operational management and institutional articulation

Support the development, under the supervision of UNDP and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, of terms of reference, contracts, and procurement of services for the development of technical studies associated with the project’s expected outputs, acting as a technical counterpart and monitoring the execution of contracted consulting services, in accordance with UNDP policies and procedures.

Ensure adequate coordination, planning, execution (technical and financial) and systematization of the project’s activities at the regional and national levels, in collaboration with the national focal points within the region, central-level counterparts from the relevant Ministries and Regional Ministerial Secretariats, and counterparts from other key public services for the project.
Other functions

The incumbent may perform other functions within his/her professional profile that are considered necessary for the proper functioning of the project.

4. Institutional Agreement

The contracted individual will work under the direct supervision of representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, specifically the Head of the Environment, Climate Change and Oceans Division, in conjunction with the Head of the Environment and Sustainable Development Area of ​​the UNDP. The professional will support and strengthen the implementation of project activities, in accordance with the scope outlined in these Terms of Reference. To adequately perform their duties, the contracted individual will perform their duties in person at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, and for the same purpose, they should consider attending in person at the locations required, in accordance with the activities planned within the framework of the project, during the contract period.

5. Competencies

Essential Competencies

Achieving Results
LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors work, paying attention to details, performs quality work on time.
Think Innovatively
LEVEL 1: Open to new ideas, knows the risks, solves problems pragmatically, makes improvements.
Continuous learning
LEVEL 1: Curious and open-minded, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes and asks for feedback.
Adapt with Agility
LEVEL 1: Adapts to changes, handles uncertainty/ambiguity constructively, is flexible.
Act with Determination
LEVEL 1: Demonstrates control and motivation, able to face adversity calmly, confidently.
Participate and Associate
LEVEL 1: Shows compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
Facilitating Diversity and Inclusion
LEVEL 1: Appreciates/respects differences, is aware of prejudices, confronts discrimination.
Functional and Technical Competencies

Thematic Area
Name
Definition
Institutional development
Knowledge generation
Ability to search for information and transform it into useful knowledge relevant to the context or responding to a given need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations and develop new ones to generate viable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that may be useful in addressing new situations.

Institutional management
Monitoring and Evaluation
Ability to systematically monitor the results of strategies, programs, and activities to verify their effective implementation. Ability to provide management and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reports on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities, program management, and actual results.

Ability to independently evaluate the management and results of strategies, programs, and activities, following established criteria and benchmarks, while considering the needs and concerns of current and future clients.

Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgment based on established criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client needs and concerns.
Institutional management
Project management
Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific objectives.

Institutional management
Association management
Develop and maintain partnerships with broad networks of stakeholders, governments, civil society and the private sector, experts, and other actors aligned with UNDP strategy and policies.
Institutional management
Communication
Communicate clearly, concisely, and accurately, both in writing and verbally; personalize messages and select communication methods based on the audience. ‡Ability to manage internal and external communications through media, social media, and other appropriate channels.
Agenda 2030 – Planet
Nature
Ocean governance: legal and regulatory frameworks for ocean governance.
Agenda 2030 – Planet
Nature
Ocean governance: ocean restoration and protection.

6. Minimum qualifications of an NPSA

Minimum academic education required
Complete secondary education is required.
A university professional degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas of Law or Legal Sciences will be given due consideration, but is not a requirement.
Having a professional law degree will be considered an advantage .
Minimum years of relevant work experience
Minimum 6 years (with Secondary Education) or 3 years (with Bachelor’s Degree) of relevant experience.

Relevant experience shall be understood as the set of work experience that includes:

Work experience in the design, planning, and coordination of international maritime law projects, as well as in the preparation of technical reports and results systematization documents.
Work experience in activities with local communities and key stakeholders, facilitating participatory processes, and integrating a gender perspective into sustainable development and nature conservation projects.

Required skills and competencies
Advanced level of Office (Excel, Word and PowerPoint).
Proficiency in remote work tools such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom, cloud storage, and collaborative work tools.
Outlook email management and its features.
Desirable skills and competencies
Have a professional degree as a Lawyer.
Have postgraduate studies (master’s degree or higher) in international maritime law, public international law, international relations, or a related field.

For applicants with a bachelor’s degree or professional title, a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience will be considered an advantage, and 10 years in the case of lesser academic training.
Experience and knowledge in environmental management in the public sector, including the design and evaluation of environmental regulations and public policies at the national and/or subnational levels.
Knowledge and/or experience with the General Law on Fisheries and Aquaculture, the SBAP Law, and the General Law on Environmental Foundations, among others.

Knowledge and/or experience in international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and its implementing agreements (Part IX, UNFSA, BBNJ) and international ocean governance.
Knowledge and/or experience with the objectives and goals of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Global Biodiversity Framework, the 2030 Agenda, and/or the Sustainable Development Goals, among others.
Knowledge and familiarity with the gender perspective and mainstreaming in their areas of action.

Required languages ​​(at work level)
Fluency in the Spanish language is required.
Advanced knowledge and handling of the English language is desirable.
Professional certificates
Applicants will be required to provide certificates or other similar documents to prove their work experience in using the indicated tools.

7. Travel

Official travel is expected for this position, in accordance with the nature and responsibilities of the position. This includes travel to the regions where the project’s participatory workshops will be held (North, Central, and South). Occasional travel is also expected to be made to other regions to participate in outreach, training, and experience-sharing activities that contribute to expanding the project’s results and scope.

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